Chapter Eight: Lost Little Brother Kentaro
Hitomi moved quickly down the halls of the Asturian palace with Yukari trying to keep up with her. Since their departure from Allen's home, she had been awfully quiet, contemplating what Merle had said.
"Hitomi" Yukari replied, "Slow down."
"Huh?" she stopped her face surprised that her friend was right next to her.
"You were moving at warp speed. Are you all right?" her eyes became wide with worry.
"I'm sorry Yukari. I guess I have a lot on my mind."
"About what Merle said?"
"That and a lot of other things. Let's go to our room and talk about it okay."
"Sure" Yukari agreed with a gentle smile as she took her friend's hand.
But before they could move another foot Gryphen appeared in the hall. He stopped in front of them with his usual frown.
"His majesty wants to see you" he replied curtly to Hitomi.
"Van does?"
"Yes. Follow me and I will take you to him" he moved past as she turned to her friend once more.
"Yukari. This should only take a few minutes. Meet me up at our room?"
"Sure" she nodded a second time as Hitomi took off after Gryphen, this time she was the one who was trying to keep up with someone.
()
Gryphen led Hitomi down into the throne room where Van was in conference with several of Millerna's advisors. When he saw her enter with Gryphen he ended the conversation quickly and walked over.
"Thank you Gryphen," he said.
"Hmm" Gryphen bowed and then departed the room out the same door he had come in.
"He's a good man. Well did, you have a good day?" he asked with a smile his hands behind his back.
"So, so. Celena is a real sweet girl. Is there something you need to talk to me about?" she replied with a worried expression.
"Actually there is" he nodded slowly, "Hitomi I don't know how to tell you this but I have had no luck in finding your brother."
"Oh?"
"I have sent out several people to scour for him and I have searched the entire city for him" he said which made Hitomi lower her head even further, "I'm sorry Hitomi. I don't think he's anywhere in Palas. But that doesn't mean I am giving up."
"Neither am I" she spoke up.
"Huh?"
"Van. I won't give up either. No matter how long it takes. Ken, I have to find him. There is just no question about that."
"You won't be alone" he replied taking her hands gently in his, "I will search this entire world, till I find him for you Hitomi. I promise."
"You don't have to make such a promise Van. Ken's my responsibility."
"I'm making it my responsibility. You would do the same for me if it were my sibling. I am going to help you."
"Thank you. I appreciate that."
"You're welcome" he nodded with a grin, " And with that in mind I was hoping you could do me a favor."
"Oh so there is a price to pay for your help?" she said teasingly.
"No, no. There is no price. I just have a request."
"What's that?"
"Well you and I haven't spent a whole heck of a lot of time together since you have come back."
"That's true. So?"
"Well tonight, I want you to set aside a couple of hours for me" he said seriously as he looked at her directly in the eyes his maroon eyes shining.
"Do you have something special planned?" she asked her heart pounding slightly in her chest.
"Maybe. Will you meet me?"
"Where?"
"Do you remember the place where I used to hide Escaflowne when we were here?"
"That old barn? Of course" she nodded.
"Meet me there tonight. Just after the stars appear in the sky and the two moons shine down on the earth. Oh and don't wear anything to fancy. What you're wearing right now is just fine."
"Okay" she replied with a second nod as he bent down and kissed the back of her hand as delicately as Allen would with Millerna.
Hitomi blushed as he stood up to his full height and smiled.
"I have some things I have to do right now, so I'll see you then?"
"Uh huh" she nodded for a third time as he walked away still smiling in her direction, "Oh boy" she thought as her heart continued it's thumping and she pondered why he wanted her to remain in her school uniform.
()
When Hitomi entered the girl's room Yukari was stunned to see that her friend was now smiling.
"Well something must have happened" Yukari began as she stood up from her chair, "Because when you left you were still frowning."
"I don't know what just happened Yukari" Hitomi said still smiling, "But I feel light as a feather" she fell onto the bed lightly.
"Tell me about it?" Yukari insisted, "What did Van want?"
"Huh? Oh he wanted to tell me that he has had no luck in finding Ken so far."
"That doesn't sound like very good news" Yukari said confused as she scratched the back of her head.
"Well no it's not. But it's not exactly the reason why I am like this either."
"Then why are you like this now?"
"Well Van asked me to meet him somewhere for a couple of hours tonight."
"Meet him somewhere?" Yukari replied with eyes wide, "Like a date?"
"I guess. Yukari I have to tell you something. The truth is Van and I have never established how we feel about each other" she stood up and began to pace around the room in circles.
"Never?"
"No. I mean I knew I loved him when I left here and I also knew he had a fondness for me, but it's not like he's ever said that he loved me."
"Well it's obvious that he does. I mean look at the way he looks at you."
"But he has never actually ever said those words to me. Not once. Allen did so I knew that."
"Allen did? What do you mean?" Yukari asked stunned as she sat back down in the chair.
"Oh right" Hitomi said as she realized, "I haven't told you about that have I?"
"Told me what? It seems to me there is a lot you haven't told me" she added a bit irritated.
"Well to be honest Yukari, I have forgotten some of this stuff. It's just coming back to me."
"Well what do you remember? Yukari said a little more understanding.
"Back when I first came to Gaia" Hitomi began as she sat down on the bed once again, "Now you remember Van was the one who brought me here?" Yukari nodded, "And you also remember my stories about Zaibach that you heard back at Allen's house" another nod, "Well I met Allen for the first time after Zaibach attacked Fanelia, literally burnt it to the ground. Van and I by the pillar of light had been transported along with Escaflowne, his guymelef to Asturia. Allen found me in the woods. Of course like I said I thought he was Amano at first. I mean he has the same voice. The same face. Soon I got to know him, but just like Amano I was instantly attracted to him."
"Sure. I mean who wouldn't be? He's handsome. And a knight."
"Yea. That's what I thought. And Van and I didn't get along very well. He was very prince like and he thought I was pretty much a nuisance. Well overtime I guess Allen felt something for me as well. We even kissed once."
"You kissed him?"
"He kissed me. Not that I didn't kiss him back. There was always a triangle. If it was with Allen it was with Millerna or Van."
"Millerna?"
"Yes. At one time, Princess Millerna loved Allen very much. But then she married Dryden at her father's wishes. Well actually she did that because I convinced her. Just another one of my big mistakes."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't want to talk about that right now. It's too painful."
"Okay. Another time. So you were saying?"
"Right. Well after that kiss, Allen pretty much said that he loved me. He told me before he went off for the final war. He also asked me to marry him."
"He what?" Yukari practically shouted.
"Mhm. But I turned him down."
"You turned him down?"
"Yes Yukari. You might not remember this, but do you remember when I convinced you to go out with Amano?"
"Yea" Yukari nodded frowning a little, "Sort of."
"Well the reason I said that was because I wasn't being honest with myself. When I was away from Gaia, Allen wasn't the one I thought about. Van was. I wanted to see him. And so he came and got me. By the power of our two wills we were brought back together. When Allen found out that Van was the one who brought me back to Gaia he realized that I did not feel the same about him and he called off the idea of getting married. Of course I still didn't know that I was in love with Van. I was really naïve."
"Wow. You had like the biggest adventure. Complete with romance. How come you never said anything about it?"
"Like I told you. I totally forgot about a lot of it. All except for Van that is. Oh but I did tell Ken a few stories" she added and then frowned sadly, "Ken."
"Hitomi?"
"Oh. I feel so guilty right now."
"For what?"
"Oh Yukari. I should have never gotten mad at him for taking those cards" Hitomi said.
"Hitomi" Yukari shook her head, "You didn't know that this was going to happen."
"I still feel bad. I just got to find him."
"And you will. But the question is."
"Hmm?"
"The question is, what has become of him? If he is here on Gaia I mean? Yukari replied back.
"I don't know" Hitomi shook her head.
"Do you remember what you told me and Celena this afternoon about the powers of the future you used to possess while you were here? What about using those to find Ken?" she suggested.
"I haven't been able to use that ability since forever. I mean it caused so much trouble. But you may be right. If I don't try I might never find him."
"You should concentrate on that tonight though" Yukari said, "You're meeting Van later. I want you to have a good time despite all this."
"Okay" Hitomi nodded, "Is there any other questions you have before I go? We have been sitting her for a couple of hours now, it's almost night."
"It can wait" Yukari replied standing and taking her by the hand, "Let's get you ready for your date tonight."
"Okay. But Van said nothing fancy. He just wants me to wear my school uniform tonight."
"That's a bit odd" Yukari looked at her quizzically, "But if it's what the king has asked for, he must have a reason."
What's going on?" Merle replied as she stuck her head in the door and saw them laughing.
"Hey Merle you're just in time" Yukari called her over, "Let's get Hitomi ready for her date with Lord Van."
"Okay!" she grinned bouncing in at once to help brush Hitomi's hair.
()
He flicked his tail back and forth as he entered the cave and frowned even more as he saw the big empty space next to the vacant cot. Then he turned to the smaller creature that was clearly shivering in his fur.
"He's disappeared?" he hovered over his younger brother, "How could you let this happen?"
"I'm sorry brother" the younger one squeaked his jungle green eyes becoming wide, "I only stepped out for a few minutes."
"We have to find him before he draws attention to himself in that guymelef!" he shouted, "He's helpless on his own in this world!"
"I understand" he nodded.
"For your sake Bento, you had better be. Now let's retrieve him before the elder finds out about this" he added as he stalked out followed by his younger sibling.
()
The stars were shining exceptionally bright as Hitomi climbed up into the hills toward the old barn. Merle and Yukari had watched her depart from the palace with looks of anticipation on their faces. The two moons shone just as brightly as she finally arrived at the barn and looked inside the large gaping doorway.
"Van you in there!" she called.
"Up here!" he replied from the roof.
"Well how do I get up there?" she asked.
"There's a ladder in the back!" he called back.
"Ladder?" she thought as she moved to the back of the building.
She climbed the steps of the ladder carefully trying not to scuff up her sneakers. When she arrived at the top she was surprised to see what the young king was now wearing. It was if she had never left Gaia, for he was standing on the rooftop silhouetted by the moonlight in his old red top, tan pants, and brown gloves.
"Van?" she said as she walked over the flat surface he had placed down.
"What do you think? It still fits" he grinned.
"Is that why you wanted me to stay in my uniform?"
"It's sort of nostalgic isn't it? I mean this is how we met. Just like this."
"Yea" she nodded, "Except my hair wasn't this long."
"I like it long" he said gently.
"Is this why you wanted me to meet you? This is the surprise?"
"No" he shook his head, "This isn't it," he added mischievously.
"Van Fanel" she warned, "Why did you call me all the way up here?" she added as she crossed her arms.
"Because here we can't be seen."
"I'm sorry?"
He stared at her for a few moments and then in seconds his beautiful white wings appeared ripping a good size hole in his shirt. She moved forward slightly afraid of this act.
"Van, what are you doing? What if someone."
"Can't see me" he finished, "That's why I chose this spot. It's very secluded. Besides we're not really staying here."
"What do you mean?"
"There's something I want to show you" he moved forward and scooped her up in his strong arms.
"Whoa. Van what are you?" she began confused.
"Hold on" he warned and she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck as he spread his wings and took off into the sky flying higher and higher.
Hitomi felt like she was on a cloud as they drifted across the night sky as swiftly as they would on Escaflowne. He smiled as he carried her further and further up until she finally saw a mountain that rose above Asturia like a large castle itself.
"That's where we're going" he replied.
"There?" she pointed.
"Yep" he nodded, "Hang on!" he added as he dove back down aiming for the patch of land on top of the mountains.
He landed flawlessly and as he placed her down back onto the ground his wings disappeared.
"Good ride?"
"Pretty amazing. But where are we Van?" she asked as she looked around at the forest that stood behind them.
"Come here" he said taking her hand, "Let me show you" he pulled her out of a patch of bushes and took her to the edge of the cliff where she looked down.
"Oh my" she breathed.
Down below them Asturia and the capital city of Palas lay before them like a gigantic map. It was wide and vast and Hitomi could see practically everything in sight.
"This is an amazing view" she replied.
"Isn't it?" he grinned, "When I first saw it myself I was stunned. I mean look at this, this is the world."
"When was the first time?" she asked as she turned to him curiously.
"Back before the war. I needed a chance to clear my head. I remember growing up, whenever Balgus wasn't around I would sneak off, spread my wings and fly. I do my best thinking when I am flying. I didn't have Escaflowne then. So one night. The very night actually that Allen proposed to you, I came up here" Hitomi blushed slightly, "I was amazed at the view, just like you. And the thoughts running through my head were pretty simple. I want to protect this world. I looked at all that down there and realized that it was the world that I wanted to protect."
"But that wasn't all Van" Hitomi shook her head as she moved slightly away from him.
"Hmm?"
"When you were fighting with Allen that morning, you were not thinking that you wanted to protect the world. You were thinking something completely different."
"Mhm" he nodded, "You're right I was. The world didn't matter after that point. All that mattered was protecting you."
"I know. I heard your thoughts in my head."
"You did?" he asked surprised.
"Yes. I was scared for you Van. I didn't want you to feel that fighting was the answer especially for my sake. That's why when you came back I was angry with you, because I didn't like how your protecting me turned you into the type of person I don't want to know. But then when I left for that brief time and went back to my world, I realized the reason why you fight was a legitimate one. Why shouldn't you fight for the person you want to protect? I think at the time I was overwhelmed by your feelings, whatever they were."
"Didn't you know?" he asked.
"Not really. I was confused. Allen had just proposed to me and I didn't know what decision to make so, I guess trying to decide between that and deciphering why you wanted to protect me above everyone was very confusing."
"I'm sorry Hitomi. I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I had no idea my thoughts were that strong so much so that you were hearing them."
"It must have been the pendent. Since I taught you that skill, I was connected with you from that moment. Van" she paused, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
" That time that you saw, you saw the time that Allen and I kissed on the bridge."
"Yes" he nodded sadly his face lowering.
"Did you come looking for me?"
"I did. And I was astonished by what I saw but I held no grudge against you. The truth is Hitomi I was an idiot" he replied as they moved back into the wooded area and he sat on a log.
"What do you mean?"
"At the time. The time in the barn I should have said what I really was thinking. Instead I was a coward and I said the worst possible thing to you. Because I couldn't admit it. I deserved to get smacked. I mean it's not like you chose Allen to hurt me. In all respect I sort of pushed you in his direction by never admitting how I really felt."
"Van."
"No it's true. What I wanted to say to you in the barn was nothing like that. I mean I almost said it, but I couldn't finish it because I am such a coward. I mean I act jealous but I don't prove anything by my actions. That only proves that I am jealous but for what reason."
"Van, I don't understand what you are trying to say" she shook her head.
"I'm trying to say what I wanted to say back then," he said quickly as he looked directly up at her, "It isn't any easier now, but you deserve to hear the truth."
"All right" she nodded her heart beginning to pound in her chest once more.
"Hitomi for the longest time I hated Allen. I have, well not hated, but I was jealous of him. Ever since he kissed you on the cheek. I know it sounds strange because it's not like I treated you any better when we were in Fanelia but I felt somehow that you and I were."
"Connected?"
"Yea. And Allen was breaking that connection. I kind of thought that once Millerna was in the picture you might change your mind about him but you didn't. I didn't try to stop you either. I just brooded quietly to myself. The real truth is my feelings really took a change for you when you saved me the second time from Dilandou Albatou's attack. Right on that bridge, do you remember?"
"Yes. I remember" she nodded, "I was so terrified for your life. I think I ran faster then I have ever run in my life to get to you in time."
"Yea, well that's when I felt closer to you. But Allen always seemed to be the one you were interested in."
"Van" she replied as she sat down next to him, "I need to explain about that."
"You don't have to explain," he shook his head, "I know why. He was handsome and kind. He saved you. He was the knight every girl dreams about."
"No" she shook her head, "That's not why."
"It isn't?" he said surprised.
"No. I saw in Allen someone I already had a crush on back home. There was this boy back home that resembled Allen to a t. To me the two of them were the same. Same personality. Same look to their faces. Perhaps inadvertently I was replacing Amano with Allen because he wasn't around."
"I didn't help at all though. I acted like such a spoiled teenager. I had feelings but I never said anything. And when I did, they came out all wrong."
"I didn't either."
"Hmm?"
"Van, when you came to take me back from my home the second time did you know that Allen was not the one I thought about while I was away?"
"He wasn't?"
"No. I thought only of you. And that's when I realized that my crush on Amano or Allen, that's all it was. It was nothing more. I had no deep feelings for either one of them. When I saw Amano again I felt different. I felt like we were just friends and nothing more. You were the one I was worried about and when the war ended I knew you the one who was coming to save me, not Allen. I had suppressed my feelings too, without even realizing it."
"Hitomi?" his eyes softened.
"I should apologize to you Van. I was the one who was confusing everyone with my indecisions. I was stupid."
"No you weren't."
"Yes I was" she insisted.
"All right. Then we were both stupid. And now that we got that out, it's time to tell you how I really feel."
"Okay" she nodded slowly.
"Hitomi, I have thought of nothing but you this past year. Of course I had duties as king I had to attend to but the nights, the nights all I thought about was you. I used to wonder if I feel this way why did I send you back to your world when you offered to stay here with me, the first time? And then I realized the answer was really simple, I wanted you to be happy. I wanted the person I love the most to be happy."
"Van" her eyes filled with tears as he took her hand.
"Hitomi" he said slowly, "I love you, and I always have."
She smiled and nodded slowly.
"And I."
"You don't have to say it. I know" he nodded.
He leaned forward to kiss her lightly when he saw her face take on different expression.
"Hitomi what's wrong?" he asked concerned as her eyes became wide.
She sat still for a moment as an image appeared in her head surrounded by dark purple clouds.
"Hitomi! Help me!"
"Ken?" her eyes became ever wider.
"Hitomi?"
"We have to go back" she insisted.
"What?"
"My brother. I just felt him."
()
Van and Hitomi landed in the palace grounds. Luckily no one saw them land but Merle who ran over. Hitomi stood perfectly still as Merle eyed her curiously.
"What's going on Lord Van?" she asked.
"I don't know" he shook his head and placed his hands on the other girl's shoulders, "Hitomi! Snap out it!"
"I can sense him!" she shouted suddenly running off, "He's nearby!"
"Hitomi!" Van cried out as he dashed after her and Yukari appeared at Merle's side.
"Merle what is going on?" she asked.
"Hitomi was acting strange again," she answered.
"Strange?"
"Yea she had that weird look on her face. The one she gets when something is going to happen."
"Like the future?"
"Exactly. We should go after Lord Van."
"Yea" Yukari nodded, "Lead the way Merle" she added as they both ran forward.
()
Hitomi didn't stop running even when she arrived at town. It took all of Van's strength just to keep up with the athlete.
"Where is she going?" he thought, "I recognize this path," he said aloud as he continued his chase.
Hitomi arrived at the exact bridge where Van had confronted Folken for the second time. She stopped out of breath as Van arrived.
"Hitomi" he gasped, "What are we doing here?"
Without a word Hitomi left the bridge and walked over to the other side towards a small grassy hill that slanted down towards the small body of water. There on the bank lay the body of a very familiar fourteen year old.
"Ken!" she exclaimed as she ran over to him, "Ken! Ken can you hear me?"
"Hitomi?" Van said, as he stood close by.
"It's my brother Van. Something must have happened to him" she replied frantically as Yukari and Merle arrived.
"Calm down" he said, "Let's take him back to the palace so we can have Princess Millerna check him out."
"Okay" she nodded to the suggestion as Van with a little bit of difficulty lifted the thirteen year old.
Luckily for him the crew of the Crusade coming back from a night of drinking in the pub spotted them at once.
"Your majesty" Gaddess said as they came over, "What are you guys doing in the town this time of night?"
"This is Hitomi's younger brother" Van explained as he held onto the boy trying to balance himself, "The one we have been searching for."
"No kidding" Reeden exclaimed.
"Well in that case your highness" Kyo said, "Allow me to carry him for Lady Hitomi. I am a lot stronger."
"I would be most appreciative of that Kyo" Van replied thankfully as he handed the teen to him.
"Thank you so much Kyo" Hitomi added gratefully, "And all of you as well."
"It's our pleasure Hitomi" Gaddess nodded, "Well lets head back to the palace. I know the commander is out searching for your brother right now as we speak. We should pick him up along the way," he added as they all began to walk back to the palace, Kyo still carrying the unconscious teen with his worried sister at his side.
()
A soft breeze blew into the windows carrying the ocean scent that tickled the young teen's nose. Ken flickered his eyes open and turned his head only to see his older sister staring back at him lovingly.
"Hitomi?" he whispered surprised.
"It's okay little brother" she replied, "You're safe now."
(To be continued..)
Authors Note: Okay here's a nice long chapter for you guys. Sorry it's so late! See you all later!!
Next Time on Draconian Origin:
"I found you lying there" Hitomi explained, "Ken where have you been all this time?"
"I was in a place where everyone wanted to protect me," he said as he sat up.
"Stand down!" Allen ordered as the two creatures were surrounded holding up their spears.
"Stop!" Ken shouted, "Please don't hurt them! They're my friends" he ran forward and blocked them.
"Ken?" Hitomi said surprised.
"They've been taking care of me."
"I don't know what to be more surprised about" Hitomi replied as she paced the floor talking to Yukari, "The fact that I found my brother or the fact that he was really supposed to come to Gaia."
"But for what purpose?" Yukari asked.
"Is it safe?" Ken replied.
"It is as safe as it will always be until you need it Master Ken," the beast man said with a nod.
"Zaibach soldiers have been spotted throughout the city of Palas," Gaddess explained to the group that had gathered in the throne room.
Several soldiers in uniform are scouring the city.
"There's only one thing we can do" Van suggested, "We have to smoke them out."
"You know there is still a whole lot I don't understand about the country of Zaibach" Yukari replied, "I especially don't understand what it has to do with Celena Schezar."
"It's hard to explain" Hitomi said hesitantly.
"Try."
"I can't believe it" Millerna gasped at the sight of the man standing before them, "This is physically impossible."
Albatou's Return
